Month Seven

Dear Liliana,

Another month has come and gone.  You are actually almost 8 months old now.  Mama is a bit behind on taking your pictures and writing your monthly letter!


 
Taking these pictures was very tricky today.  All you wanted to do was lean forward to look over the edge of the rocking chair and eat grass, leaves, and twigs!  Gone is the baby who stayed in the same position throughout the entire photoshoot!

I can't believe how quickly you are growing and changing.  You are my third baby, so I should be used to how fast kids grow, but your first year is passing by too quickly.  I just want to hold you tight and slow down time!

You are an amazing little girl.  Everybody who meets you falls in love with your sweetness.  You are so calm, so sweet, so content, so happy. 

I thought the novelty of having a new baby in the house would wear off, but it hasn't.  Your big brother and big sister are still very much obsessed with you, and they are quickly becoming two of your most favorite people.  I feel so much happiness when I am greeted with your smile in the morning.  I've said it before, but that smile lights up my world.

Even though I wish you could stay this small forever, I know the future holds so many exciting things.  I love being your mom, I love spending my days with you, and I love watching you grow and learn and change.  No matter how big you get, you will always be my baby!

I love you forever, Lilybug!




STATS:  7 months old, 18 lbs, 29 inches long

MILESTONES:  You bounce on my hip as soon as I pull you out of your crib in the morning.  You bounce even more when you see your daddy or siblings!  You just can't contain all your excitement! If you are in another room and hear Dylan or Lexie's voice, you holler out to them!




TOOTH COUNT: Still just 2, on the bottom!  This surprises me, because your siblings had at least 6 teeth by the time they were 7 months old.  I have to admit, I do love your gummy smile!




COMFORTS:  Sucking your thumb.  It may cause some expensive dental bills one day, but I think it's adorable!





FIRSTS:  Valentine's Day!  You were showered with love!

SOUNDS:  In addition to the babbling and coos and yells, you have added in "Ba Ba Ba!" I think you are in a competition with your sister over who can talk more.  You have her beat...you even "talk" while eating!



EATING: This month, you started to enjoy food!  I started you on two solid meals a day, usually 4 cubes of homemade purees at each feeding. A new favorite of yours is baby yogurt!  We began to introduce finger foods as well...puffs, shredded cheese, small crumbles of meat, egg, small pieces of whole-grain bread.  You still nurse several times throughout the day, and I introduced a sippy cup of water.  You now love to eat, and have yet to turn anything down!



SLEEPING:  You started a new routine.  You go to bed at 6:45-7:15, eat at 11 (when I go to bed) with your eyes still closed, and sleep until 7:00 the next morning (sometimes until 8 or 9).  You take 2-3 naps per day, all over an hour. 



PLAYING:  You spend most of your time on the floor, playing with your toys.  We started to go "shopping" in the attic for baby toys we had stored away after Lexie outgrew them.  You love all the new stuff!  Sophie the giraffe and a fabric knotted toy on your carseat are still favorites of yours.



LIKES:  Snuggling with your loved ones, playing with your siblings, petting your cat and dog, and standing on the couch so you can look out the window.




DISLIKES:  Having your hand held and having your face wiped.  And...having a monthly sticker stuck to your shirt!


 
PERSONALITY: You are happy, easy-going, and friendly. You flash your big grin at anybody that talks to you. I think you are a charmer, like your big brother! You are definitely an "easy" baby.  I love how sweet you are!!!